Live spindle adaptor



United tates Patent 3,048,002 LIVE SPINDLE ADAPTOR Harold R. Jost, Toledo, Ohio, assignor, by mesne assignments, to Johns-Manvillc Fiber Glass Inc., Cleveland, Ohio, a corporation of Delaware Filed June 9, 1958, Ser. No. 740,769 14 Claims. (Cl. 57129) This invention relates broadly to an adaptor for a live spindle such as is used to rotate a bobbin or spool in winding and twisting operations in the textile industry. More specifically, it relates to an annular spindle adaptor made of a resilient material which is peripherally deformed when subjected to centrifugal force to clutch the inner wall of a cylind'rically shaped bobbin and to rotate it in unison with the spindle.

Through the years numerous types of adaptors for rotatively engaging a bobbin have been designed, and though improvements have been made, none of the designs have solved the basic problems. These problems are: firmly gripping the bobbin to rotate it in unison with the spindle, absolute release of the bobbin for removal and replacement of bobbins with a minimum of effort and concentration, automatic compensation for variations in the inside diameters of the bobbins, and rotating the bobbin in concentric relation with the axis of the spindle to minimize bearing wear and to promote uniformity of the package wound upon each bobbin.

The desired characteristics enumerated above appear to be easily attainable, however, the fact that commercially available equipment has not solved these problems attests to the complexity thereof. Due to the relatively high rotative speeds any slight deviation in the centering of the bobbin about the spindle creates an unbalanced load upon the spindle bearing to prematurely shorten its life expectancy. Also due to the rapid acceleration and deceleration of the spindle, any tendency toward slippage between the bobbin and the spindle is intensified. Furthermore the simplicity and ease with which a succession of bobbins may be removed and placed upon the spindle is not to be dismissed lightly, as this operation must be repeated at frequent intervals, and due to the frequency and the repetitive nature of the operation operator fatigue and ennui become a prime consideration. Also, the commercial tolerances required by the manufacturers of the bobbins results in variations in the inside diameter beyond the effective range of present spindle adaptors so that when the inside diameter of a bobbin is within the lower limit release of the bobbin is not absolute and when the inside diameter approaches the high limit the adaptor does not firmly grip the bobbin so that slippage may occur.

It is therefore an object of this invention to provide an adaptor for a live spindle which automatically and absolutely centers each bobbin of a succession about the axis of the spindle.

It is another object of this invention to provide a live spindle adaptor which is responsive to the presence and absence of centrifugal force for respectively clutching and releasing a bobbin.

It is still another object of this invention to provide an adaptor for a live spindle upon which a succession of bobbins may be placed with a minimum of effort and concentration.

It is a further object of this invention to provide an adaptor for a live spindle which is virtually indestructible.

It is a still further object of this invention to provide a live spindle adaptor made of a resilient material which expands upon rotation to firmly grip the bobbin.

It is yet another object of this invention to provide an adaptor for a live spindle which compensates for minor variations in the inside diameters of the bobbins.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will become more apparent during the course of the following description, when taken in connection with the accompanying drawings.

In the drawings, wherein like numerals are employed to designate like parts throughout the same:

FIG. 1 is a schematic illustration of apparatus for winding and twisting yarn including the subject invention;

FIG. 2 is an elevation with parts in section of a bobbin mounted on a live spindle equipped with the preferred adaptor embodiment;

FIG. 3 is an elevation similar to FIG. 2 showing a modified form of the adaptor;

FIG. 4 is an elevation of a spindle provided with two adaptors; and

FIG. 5 is an elevation with parts in section showing an adaptor molded to the periphery of a metal sleeve.

Referring to the drawing wherein like numerals are used to designate like parts, and in particular to FIG. 1, apparatus for twisting yarn is generally indicated by the numeral 10. Commercially available spinning frames are equipped with a plurality of spindles 11 disposed in rows on opposite sides of a frame. However, for simplicity only fragmentary portions of the frame 12 and a single spindle 11 and associated apparatus are shown. The spindle is rotated at a constant speed by a belt drive 13 connected to an electric motor 14 and is provided with means for releasably gripping a bobbin 15 in a manner to be hereinafter disclosed.

Surrounding the spindle 11 is a traveler ring 16 which moves in a circular orbit around the bobbin 15 guided by a track 17 which is reciprocated in a vertical direction, as indicated by the double-headed arrow 18, to traverse the yarn upon the bobbin in the accepted manner.

A stationary guide 19, a pair of power rotated tensioning feed rolls 20 and a second guide 21 are interposed between the traveler ring 16 and a vertically displaced yarn supply creel 22 which is mounted for free rotation on a spindle 23 so the yarn will unwind easily.

The subject spindle adaptor may also be used with other types of textile machinery other than twist frames, in which case a motor may be substituted for the supply creel spindle 23 eliminating the need for the feed rolls 20 and substituting a guide for the traveler ring 16.

Referring to FIG. 2 of the drawings, the spindle 11 is comprised of a round shaft 24 mounted in a vertical position for rotation in bearings 25. The lower portion 26 of the shaft 24 projects below the bearings 25 and is engaged by the previously recited belt means 13. The upper portion 27 of the shaft 24 projects above the bearings 25 through a circular base plate 28 comprised of a lower portion 29 larger in diameter than the bobbin 15 and an upper portion 30 slightly smaller in diameter than the inside diameter 31 of the bobbin 15. As is clearly shown in FIG. 2, the annular bottom face of the bobbin 15 rests upon the top face 32 of the larger diametered lower portion 29 of the base plate 28 and the upper portion 30 of the base plate is loosely piloted within the inside diameter 31 of the bobbin. The base plate 28 is secured to the shaft 24 by a taper or groove pin 33 or by any other suitable fastening means.

An adaptor provided by the present invention and generally indicated by the numeral 34 is carried by the shaft 24-. The adapter is preferably molded of a suitable resilient material, such as for example neoprene, in an annular configuration and having a central hole 35 extending longitudinally through the adaptor 34. The diameter of this hole is relatively smaller than the diameter of the shaft 24 to provide a snug press fit therebetween so that upon rotation at high speeds the inner surface of the adaptor will remain in intimate contact with the peripheral surface of the shaft. The molded outside diameter of the adaptor 34 is slightly less than the inside diameter 31 of the bobbin 15 and substantially the same diameter as the upper pilot portion 30 of the base plate 28 so that when the bobbin is perfectly centered with respect to the axis of the shaft 24, clearance is provided on all sides between the bobbin and the adaptor 34 and the pilot portion 30 of the base plate 28. This feature permits removal and replacement of bobbins upon the spindle with a minimum of care and effort.

A plurality of diametrical grooves 36 are spaced at regular intervals longitudinally along the periphery of the adaptor and extend inwardly and downwardly at an angle of approximately 45 to a depth of at least one-half the wall thickness thereby providing a plurality of thin-walled cupped projecting annuli 37. A pair of collars 38, each provided with a set-screw 39, encircle the shaft 24, one above and the other below the adaptor 34 to retain it a short distance below the upper extremities of the shaft 24 and the bobbin 15, as is clearly shown in FIG. 2.

As previously stated, the adaptor 34 is molded of a resilient material such as neoprene. At rest, the adaptor assumes the solid line shaft of FIG. 2, however, upon rotation of the spindle l1 centrifugal force acts upon the mass to deform the projecting annuli 37 to the broken line position as also shown in FIG. 2. In the broken line position, the annuli 37 are in peripheral clutching engagement with longitudinally spaced portions of the inside surface of the bobbin 15, exerting an outwardly and downwardly directed thrust to firmly seat the bobbin 15 on the surface 32 of the base plate 28 and to rotate the bobbin in unison with the spindle 11, with the peripheral surface of the bobbin concentric with the axis of the spindle. When rotation of the spindle 11 is stopped, the adaptor 34 resumes its solid line shape.

it is obvious that the material used in making the adaptor 34 and the depth and wall thickness of the annuli are variables which are dependent upon the diameter of the adaptor 34 and the speed of rotation thereof. It has been found by experimentation that an adaptor molded of neoprene testing approximately 45 durometer, in substantially the configuration and size shown in FIG. 2, when rotated at approximately 6,500 rpm. deforms in the manner described and when at rest retracts to its original molded shape out of contact with the inner surface of the bobbin.

The modified form of the invention shown in FIG. 3, and generally identified by the numeral 40, functions in the same manner as the adaptor 34 of FIG. 2. The adaptor 40 is comprised of a plurality of identical cup shaped washers 41 molded of a resilient material such as neoprene. Each washer 41 is comprised of a circular hub portion 42 with a central opening 43 and a thin-walled annulus 44 projecting upwardly and outwardly from the top periphery of the hub at approximately a 45 angle.

A plurality of washers 41 are pressed upon the shaft 24 in stacked relation with the annuli 44 extending upwardly and with the base of the lowermost hub '42 seated upon the top face of a collar 45 which is reatined in position on the shaft :11 by a set screw 46. A second collar 47, locked in position on the shaft 11 by a set screw 48, is seated upon the upper surface of the hub 42 of the topmost washer 41.

In FIG. 4 two adaptors 34 are spaced, one above the other, on the shaft 24 eliminating the need for the pilot portion 30* of the base plate 28. The modified form of the base plate is designated by the numeral 49. Since the adaptors are made of the same material and all physical dimensions are identical, upon rotation both will expand at a uniform rate as the spindle is rotated.

FIG. illustrates a second modified form of the invention, generally indicated by the numeral 50, which is primarily designed to resist expansion of the adaptor in the area surrounding the shaft 24 and to provide positive engagement between the shaft and the adaptor unit. To preclude slippage of the adaptor unit upon the shaft 24, the adaptor 51 is molded of a resilient material upon the periphery of a metal sleeve 52 with the upper portion of the sleeve projecting above the top surface of the adaptor and provided with one or more threaded holes 53 penetrating the wall thereof to accommodate a like number of set screws 54 for locking the adaptor unit 50 to the shaft 24. This unit functions in the same manner as the previously described embodiments.

It is to be understood that the forms of the invention herewith shown and described are to be taken as illustrative embodiments only of the same, and that various changes in the shape, size and arrangements of parts may be resorted to without departing from the spirit of the invention or the scope of the subjoined claims.

I claim:

1. In combination, a spindle including an annular adaptor made of a resilient material rotatable as a unit about a vertical axis, said adaptor defining a plurality of lips extending angularly from said axis, a replaceable cylindrical bobbin in spaced, substantially concentric proximity to the periphery of said adaptor, said adaptor having an outside diameter, when in a non-rotating position, less than the inside diameter of said bobbin, and means for rotating said spindle and adaptor to coaxially expand the lips of said adaptor into clutching engagement with said bobbin.

2. The combination as defined in claim 1, wherein said adaptor is comprised of a cylindrical hub and a plurality of cup-shaped annuli angularly projecting outwardly from the periphery of said hub in spaced relation to each other.

3. The combination as defined in claim 2, wherein said angle approximates 4. The combination as defined in claim 2, wherein said adaptor is bonded onto the periphery of a metal sleeve which telescopically receives said shaft and is secured thereto by one or more fasteners.

5. The combination as defined in claim 1, wherein said adaptor is comprised of a plurality of cup-shaped washers in stacked relation each having a cylindrical hub and a thin-walled annulus extending outwardly from the periphery adjacent one end of said hub to space said annuli with respect to each other.

6. A spindle adaptor for a winding machine having an elongated spindle rotatable about an axis, said adaptor being made of a resilient material and comprised of a cylindrical hub, a plurality of cup-shaped annuli projecting angularly and outwardly from the periphery of said hub in spaced relation to each other and means for fastening said adaptor to said spindle in concentric relation to said axis.

7. A spindle adaptor as defined in claim 6, wherein an individual hub is provided for each of said annuli.

8. A spindle adaptor as defined in claim 6, wherein said fastening means include a pair of collars encircling said spindle in facial relation to opposite ends of said adaptor.

9. A spindle adaptor as defined in claim 6, wherein said hub includes a tubular metal sleeve projecting beyond one end of said adaptor.

10. A spindle adaptor as defined in claim 6, wherein said resilient material is rubber.

11. A spindle adaptor as defined in claim 6 wherein said resilient material is neoprene.

12. The combination as defined in claim 1, wherein said adaptor is comprised of a cylindrical hub and an expandable annulus having a frusto-conical shape when in a stationary position.

13. The combination as defined in claim 1, wherein said adaptor is comprised of a cylindrical hub and a plurality of inverted expandable frusto-conical shaped annuli.

'14. In combination, a spindle including and directly supporting an annular adaptor rotatable as a unit about a vertical axis, said adaptor being made of resilient material and defining a lip having surfaces extending angularly from said axis, and a replaceable bobbin in 5 spaced substantially concentric proximity to the periphery of said adaptor, the extended surfaces of said adaptor when in non-rotating position being extended in a direction different from the direction in which the inside peripheral surface of said bobbin extends.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,975,743 Gol long Oct. 2, 1934 

